SINGAPORE – Construction of a new cycling and pedestrian bridge over the Pan Island Expressway (PIE) is now more than halfway complete, marking a critical milestone in the development of a 10km green corridor linking Bishan to the city centre.
The bridge, which measures nearly 700m in length, serves as the final link in the Bishan-to-City Links project. Once the full route is operational in the second half of 2027, cyclists are expected to be able to travel from Bishan to the city centre in under 30 minutes.
National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat announced the update in a Facebook post on July 2, noting that the project will improve public access to waterfront spaces, parks, and residential neighbourhoods within the Kallang River area.
Infrastructure Expansion and Connectivity
The Bishan-to-City Links corridor is part of Singapore’s longer-term push to expand active-mobility options and integrate cycling with public transport under the land transport and urban planning frameworks overseen by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Land Transport Authority.
Beyond the primary PIE bridge, several auxiliary infrastructure projects are currently underway to enhance the network’s utility and close remaining “last-mile” gaps. These include:
- A new park connector directly linked to the bridge, forming a continuous route between residential estates, Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park and the Kallang River.
- A new underpass providing access to Mar Thoma Road, reducing the need for at-grade crossings at busy intersections.
- The widening of existing paths along the Kallang River between Jalan Taman and Mar Thoma Road to better accommodate shared use by cyclists, pedestrians and personal mobility device users.
The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) is also conducting studies on the optimization of open spaces beneath the Whampoa Flyover on the Central Expressway (CTE). The agency is evaluating the feasibility of installing sports and recreational facilities, such as multi-purpose courts for pickleball and other athletics, as part of efforts to make better use of land constrained by expressway infrastructure.
Further connectivity is planned for residents of Ang Mo Kio, Marymount, and Bishan through an additional cycling and pedestrian bridge. This structure will link to the start of the Bishan-to-City bridge, connect both sides of the Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, and provide a direct link to the future Teck Ghee MRT station, strengthening the role of park connectors as feeders to the rail network.
Commuter Impact and Safety
The project aims to resolve existing gaps in the cycling network that currently force commuters into suboptimal or hazardous routes, an issue that has grown more acute as more residents turn to bicycles and personal mobility devices for short and medium-distance trips.
Production operator Goh Heng Yi, 33, noted that the current lack of infrastructure requires cyclists to carry their bicycles up two flights of stairs. “Most cyclists simply use the pavement at the PIE and Bendemeer Road, which is very narrow,” Goh said, adding that the situation can be challenging during peak hours.
For families, the primary benefit is the reduction of vehicle interaction. Homemaker Norzamaria, 47, who cycles with two of her children, aged nine and 12, stated: “I hope the new route will create a safer journey between Bishan and the city, with fewer interactions with traffic.” She added that the route would be particularly beneficial for the elderly and young children while reducing overall travel time, aligning with the government’s broader ambition to support ageing-in-place and child-friendly neighbourhoods.
Officials have framed the corridor as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, existing public transport links, providing an additional low-carbon option for daily commutes and leisure travel along the Kallang River and through Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park.
Traffic Management Plan
To facilitate the remaining construction of the PIE bridge, the URA confirmed in a July 2 statement that sections of the highway will be closed on four nights between mid-July and mid-August.
Closures are scheduled during off-peak hours, from midnight to 5:00 AM, as part of traffic management measures designed to minimise disruption on one of Singapore’s busiest expressways.
PIE (Tuas) Closures
- Between Exit 15A and the slip road to CTE (SLE/TPE).
- Between Exit 15A and Exit 17.
- Serangoon Road access to PIE (Tuas).
- Serangoon Road access to CTE (SLE/TPE).
PIE (Changi) and CTE Closures
- PIE (Changi) between Exit 15 and Exit 13.
- PIE (Changi) Exit 15 to Upper Serangoon Road.
- CTE (City) Exit 8B to Upper Serangoon Road.
- CTE (City) Exit 8B to PIE (Changi).
- CTE (SLE/TPE) Exit 8B to Upper Serangoon Road.
- CTE (SLE/TPE) Exit 8B to PIE (Changi).
Diversion Routes
- PIE (Tuas) motorists: Use Exit 15A toward the CTE (City), Moulmein Road, and Thomson Road.
- PIE (Changi) motorists: Use Exit 15 toward Upper Serangoon Road or the CTE (SLE/TPE) and Braddell Road.
- Serangoon Road motorists: To access PIE (Tuas), use the CTE (City), Moulmein Road, and Thomson Road. To access CTE (SLE/TPE), use Upper Serangoon Road and Braddell Road.
- CTE (City) motorists: Use Exit 10 toward Braddell Road and Upper Serangoon Road to access either Upper Serangoon Road or PIE (Changi).
- CTE (SLE/TPE) motorists: Use Exit 7A toward Moulmein Road, Balestier Road, and Serangoon Road to reach Upper Serangoon Road or PIE (Changi).
Motorists are advised to factor in additional travel time during the affected nights and to follow on-site instructions and electronic signboards. The closures and diversions are implemented under Singapore’s broader road and traffic management regime, which prioritises safety and minimising congestion on key expressways.
Project Timeline
The Bishan-to-City route is being delivered in phases. Five initial connections were opened in October 2023 following two years of construction, including street-level crossings at Bendemeer Road and Serangoon Road, as well as underpasses at Kallang Bahru and Upper Boon Keng.
The PIE bridge and all associated improvement works are scheduled for completion by the second half of 2027. The corridor will eventually integrate with existing park connectors such as those running through Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, where earlier river naturalisation works transformed the Kallang River into a meandering waterway and expanded recreational spaces along its banks.
The URA stated that barricades and traffic diversion signs will be deployed to guide motorists during the upcoming nightly closures, and said agencies will monitor traffic conditions and make on-site adjustments where necessary as construction progresses.
